As an Asian Female, my flesh has been dangerously defined by society. My “demographic” is largely excluded from media such as television, film, music, and news, except as a token symbol of diversity or an entire genre of pornography – “Asian.” My personhood is often defined by either model minority or hypersexualized stereotypes, constantly threatening my well-being and safety and resulting in a life of constant trauma, coping, and healing from trauma. To give meaning to my suffering, I find refuge in music and community, hoping to help others feel less alone in their own silenced traumas and struggles…

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Scouting cultural responses to the current political moment, World Cafe producer Kimberly Junod and I headed to the Basement East in Nashville one night not long after President Trump had first presented his executive order on immigration to observe a benefit concert for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. The evening, co-organized by the spirited soul woman Alanna Royale, featured many local luminaries: Adia Victoria read from the works of Toni Morrison; Ariel Bui, herself the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants to Louisiana, sang of her parents' experience… - Ann Powers

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She says that particularly other young female artists such as Becca Mancari and Ariel Bui are using a lower register approach which comes with a “different attitude.” Hight says their vocal delivery has a “deliberately deadpan, artfully sly, relaxed way.” She says it strikes her as especially different for a city that has featured many singers whose vocal attack was more “athletic.”

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We recently asked Bui to chime in on how ear training can positively impact guitarists and bassists and some tips for musicians of any level to improve their skills - She Shreds

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We listen in to amazing live tracks by both Neil Young and Ryan Adams to pave the way for their respective returns to Oz. Also, in a fantastic cross-genre pollination, All Our Exes Live in Texas cover Tame Impala. Plus, we deconstruct what we know about the immanent release of the Rolling Stones new blues record Lonesome and blue. All this and more shoved into the bursting suitcase, as we also hear new music by Lost Ragas, Paul Kelly, Ariel Bui and Emma Swift!

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"...the record showcases her guitar skills and knack for combining charming lo-fi experimental pop, folk, country, and blues with dark, observational lyrics about topics ranging from death to student loans."

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"Bui’s dusky voice and unusual combination of countrypolitan with a shadowy, somewhat ominous and occasionally skewed approach pushes all sorts of boundaries." - Hal Horowitz, American Songwriter Magazine

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"She’s a formally trained classical musician, but on this self-titled full-length she brings nearly jazzy elegance to songs that echo the measured control of fellow challenging Americana-related artistes like Calexico and Angel Olsen."

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Songwriter says: "I wanted the overall sound of the album to be classic, yet subtly experimental — with a bridge between country and rock and roll — my internalized Nashville."

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Bui's self-titled LP...lands right in the sweet spot of contemporary Americana. The first half...leans more towards trad country and R&B, while the second side stretches out into jazz and vintage pop — all expertly played by a boss crop of locals...(Bonus: If you buy the vinyl copy, it will have never touched a computer, having been recorded to tape with Andrija Tokic at his all-analog studio The Bomb Shelter.)"

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"a glimpse deep into her soul, perfect for an autumn Sunday drive or a Tarantino soundtrack."

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"Ariel Bui is not a one-track artist."

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"Bui’s sound is packed with retro guitars and pianos that carry her smoky vocals and honest delivery..."

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What was your favorite discovery this year?

Ariel Bui. -Coco Hames

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“I saw Garbage Warrior a year ago and it totally changed my life. I’d graduated from college that year and I was just kind of unhappy with the state of affairs, living in the suburbs,” she says. Now, she has bigger dreams…“I’ve always dreamed of having a commune with my friends some day.”

A little while ago, she went on down to Mexico to build Earthships, and found a little piece of land that’d be perfect for the commune, and a group of artists who might be able to fill it. It’s nothing serious yet, though; just “dreams and schemes.” - Tom Jones

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